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How large of a group do I need to come to Ringneck Retreat?
Ringneck Retreat looks like a wonderful place to vacation with my family, but not everyone hunts. Would my wife and/or children enjoy the retreat while I go out hunting?
What animals can I hunt?
How many people go out on a hunt with each guide?
How many pheasants can I shoot? Can I bring them home?
Do I need to apply for a South Dakota hunting license before I arrive?
What type of food does the chef prepare? Do we order off a menu, or does everyone eat the same meal?
Are meals served at a certain time? Do all guests eat at the same time?
Can the chef prepare pheasant?
How much time is actually spent hunting? How long are the hunts, and how many times will we hunt per day?
What if it’s very cold, raining, or snowing when I arrive?
What should I pack?
What types of shells should I bring?
If I fly to Ringneck Retreat, what do I need to know about traveling with my gun?
Are the guides accessible before and after the hunt to answer any questions I may have?
Can I bring my dog?
Do you provide transportation?
How large of a group do I need to come to Ringneck Retreat?
We welcome groups of up to 18 people, although we prefer groups of 10 to 12 people. Our minimum group size is 4 hunters. If you have a small group, you may share the lodge with another small group; however, you will hunt separately.
Ringneck Retreat looks like a wonderful place to vacation with my family, but not everyone hunts. Would my wife and/or children enjoy the retreat while I go out hunting?
Hunters and non–hunters alike enjoy the beauty and tranquility of Ringneck Retreat. Along with pheasants, guests often spot deer, snow geese, coyote, fox, jackrabbits, and prairie dogs during their stay. Our spacious lodge provides ample space for relaxing with a book, challenging the family to a board game, or meeting other guests. Those who would like to explore the area will find downtown just two blocks away. A rural community of 120 people, Hitchcock is home to the Hitchcock Museum, a park with children’s play area, Captain Tony’s Bar, and DK’s Hitchcock Café. We ask that an adult supervise children at all times. For families who would like a relaxing get–away without hunting, we recommend visiting during the summer, when the whole family can enjoy fishing and exploring our 2500 acres in the warm weather.
What animals can I hunt?
We offer several hunting vacations, as well as fishing vacations, throughout the year, in accordance with South Dakota’s hunting and fishing seasons. Please view the hunt for details on these offerings. On pheasant hunts, we also encounter sharptail grouse, prairie chickens, and occasionally Hungarian partridge. These are included with your hunting license; therefore, if we encounter these birds on a hunt, you can shoot them. We also have chuckar partridges upon request, for an additional fee.
How many people go out on a hunt with each guide?
Each group has unique needs. We customize our hunts to each group, so the number of hunters and guides will vary. If you have a specific request, please contact us to discuss your wishes. If you are planning a vacation for a group, we’d be happy to discuss hunting plans in advance of your arrival.
How many pheasants can I shoot? Can I bring them home?
In accordance with South Dakota law, you can shoot 15 cock pheasants, taken at the rate of 3 birds per day. If you would like to bring your pheasants home, we will clean them and box them for land travel. If you wish to have them shipped home, you are responsible for shipping costs; however, we will bring them to UPS for you.
Do I need to apply for a South Dakota hunting license before I arrive?
You must purchase your South Dakota license before you arrive, but the state has made it very convenient to do so from your home. If you are a US or Canadian citizen, you can purchase your hunting license from a store that sells licenses, or you purchase your license online. If you are not a US or Canadian citizen, you will need to purchase your license at a storefront location. All hunters over the age of 16 will need a driver’s license or state–issued ID card to purchase a hunting license. Youth hunters (under age 16) must use their Hunter Safety Certificate as an ID.
What type of food does the chef prepare? Do we order off a menu, or does everyone eat the same meal?
We serve each meal family style, the good old–fashioned way. Sharon, our chef, prepares wonderful meals that focus on traditional Midwestern favorites, such as delicious roasts and fresh vegetables, stews, or casseroles. Meals incorporate mostly home–raised meats and vegetables, from our garden or from local farmers. If you have specific dietary needs, such as a diabetic diet, please contact us before your arrival to discuss your needs. Sharon would be happy to accommodate your request.
Are meals served at a certain time? Do all guests eat at the same time?
We serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner at the same time each day, so everyone can gather to enjoy a home–cooked, family–style meal. Guests, guides, and staff all come together to enjoy a traditional Midwestern meal at two big cedar tables in our lodge. Meal times and the relaxing evening that follows provide guests with a wonderful time to swap their favorite hunting memories (and perhaps a few tall tales). The kitchen is always open and is stocked with fruit, candy, and various snack options.
Can the chef prepare pheasant?
Sharon, our in–house chef, will prepare pheasant upon your request; however, due to health regulations that are very specific on serving wild game we cannot serve the pheasants killed during our hunts.
How much time is actually spent hunting? How long are the hunts, and how many times will we hunt per day?
During the first part of the pheasant season, we start hunting at noon. After daylight savings time, we begin our hunt at 10:00 am. We continue our hunt until all hunters have reached their limit of three birds each. Due to varying circumstances this could be very quick or last all day. Whether or not the limit has been reached, hunting ends at sunset. This is for safety purposes.
What if it’s very cold, raining, or snowing when I arrive?
Don’t let the weather deter you. Bad weather can make for better hunting. In fact, some of the best hunts we’ve had have occurred during snow and ice blizzards. The pheasant hunting season usually brings dry weather ranging from highs in the 50s and 60s and lows below freezing. While the mornings can be quite cold, the temperature generally rises during our hunts. We do hunt during all types of weather, so be sure to pack accordingly.
What should I pack?
We believe in safety above all else. Each hunter must wear a blaze orange hat as well as safety glasses during the hunt. We recommend you also wear an additional article of orange clothing, such as a hunting vest, for improved safety. You should also bring:
- 12–gauge or 20–gauge shotgun
- hunting pants and jacket
- several layers of clothing, to adjust to changing temperatures
- warm socks and good–quality, waterproof hunting boots
- rain gear
- gloves
- safety glasses
- camera (to prove your hunting prowess to friends!)
Our lodge invites comfort and relaxation, so casual clothing is appropriate for meals and all other times.
What types of shells should I bring?
State law requires non–toxic shells when hunting on public land. Because we shoot on private land, our shell recommendations may vary. Please contact us ahead of time, as our team will recommend the best shells for the time of year and hunting conditions.
If I fly to Ringneck Retreat, what do I need to know about traveling with my gun?
FAA regulations require you place your hunting gun in a locked, FAA–approved hard case and ensure the gun has been unloaded. You must declare your firearm during the ticket counter check–in process. The gun case must be locked; however, keep your key accessible in case the security officer chooses to inspect the case and its contents. The FAA also has specific guidelines for packing ammunition.
Are the guides accessible before and after the hunt to answer any questions I may have?
When you visit Ringneck Retreat, your entire stay is part of the experience — not just your time hunting. Our guides dine with guests, and they also spend time in the lodge socializing with guests as requested.
Can I bring my dog?
We welcome pets, and our large yard provides plenty of space for dogs to run. Our expertly trained hunting dogs accompany each of our hunts. If you wish, you may bring your own hunting dog along, provided it is trained to handle large populations of pheasants.
Do you provide transportation?
We do not provide any transportation to or from Ringneck Retreat. Sioux Falls Regional Airport is approximately three hours away, so we recommend renting a car. Wherever you’re coming from, you should find the directions to Ringneck Retreat simple.
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